Iowa

Hawkeyes can’t close comeback attempt: Indiana 74, Iowa 68

Published

2 years ago

January 30, 2024

Hawkeyes can’t close comeback attempt: Indiana 74, Iowa 68

Full disclosure, I spent the better part of this game at book club discussing Jordan Peele’s horror anthology, Out There Screaming. When I checked the box score of the game, it was like I had read a 20th horror story with a wretched first half from Iowa. By the time I got back, it was a game again, with it all knotted up at 60-60. Unfortunately, the Iowa Hawkeyes (12-9, 4-6) couldn’t climb the mountain to get their 5th Big Ten win, falling short to the Indiana Hoosiers (13-8, 5-5), 74-68.

Sometimes the scariest stories are the ones where we know the beats.

Payton Sandfort kept the Hawks afloat for much of the first half, with 14 of his career-high 26 coming in the frame, tying the mark he set on Saturday. Tony Perkins turned on the jets in the second with 17 of his 22.

For Indiana, they battled through injuries – Kel’el Ware was hobbled with an ankle injury much of the night but still put up 23 points. Malik Reneau was injured early and contributed just 2 points in 3 minutes as the Hoosiers raced to an 8 point lead inside of 5 minutes. It stretched to 16 a couple times and 17 as they destroyed Iowa on the glass, with 15 second chance points coming on 13 offensive rebounds. Xavier Johnson had a gnarly injury down the stretch.

It led to little-used players making a huge impact – Gabe Cupps hit just his 9th three on the season to give the Hoosiers a lead they would not relinquish – while Anthony Leal – winner of Mr. Basketball in Tony Perkins’ senior year – had a career high 13 points on 4/6 shooting.

Offense was there down the stretch until it wasn’t

It’s been said in many past games that Iowa hasn’t played many games inside of 7 points. Well, some of that is because of how little O the Hawks have gotten in crunch time. The wormed turned against Michigan and looked on that track again tonight, as Iowa rallied twice to get the lead inside of 4 minutes. Their final points came on a stellar set play from Patrick McCaffery inbounding cross court to Payton Sandfort in the corner with 1:42 left.

After an extended break to see if Sandfort’s shot was a 3 (there was no clear angle to show his foot in relation to the line, though I think they got it right on the court), Cupps nailed his three. Iowa came back and turned it over – just their third on the game…if you’re wondering how the Hawks stuck around in this one – and gave up a Trey Galloway free throw. It was his third on the night, notable for a 50% shooter. His others came earlier when was selected to take the Johnson free throws but personally I would have gone with Ware who looked baaaaad in missing two just prior to that. I’m drifting.

Anyways, Iowa looked rushed to get Sandfort another look – a miss – and couldn’t secure the rebound (Josh Dix was probably fouled but no one is making that call in Assembly Hall) after holding IU to a tough shot the next time down. Blouses.

Supporting cast non-existent

Perk & Sandfort were great but … man, they got no help. Iowa’s first bench points came on a pair of Brock Harding free throws with 7:56 remaining in the game. His basket 40 seconds later were the final bench points of the game. Ben Krikke & Owen Freeman struggled down low against the giant Kel’el Ware. Dix ended up with 10 of his own but that’s not a recipe to go into ANY Big Ten venue and come away with a victory.

The fight of this team

Past Iowa teams have packed in games like tonight. Past teams under Fran have done it. But this one didn’t. They rallied. Turned it into a game of runs but didn’t have enough at the end. I really like this team. I like the way they compete. Tony Perkins and Payton Sandfort deserve a ton of credit for that.

Put a hokey way: I really like these guys and they’re fun to cheer for. I’m excited to see them in person on Friday night. I just wish they won more than they currently are.

Next up: Friday 2/2, v Ohio State Buckeyes (13-8, 3-7) at 6p CT (FS1)

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Iowa

Northeastern Iowa man sentenced to 120 years in prison for child sexual abuse

Published

10 hours ago

March 31, 2026

Press Room

Northeastern Iowa man sentenced to 120 years in prison for child sexual abuse

ALLAMAKEE COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – A Waterville man was sentenced to 120 years in prison Tuesday after authorities say he potentially committed more than 100 acts of sexual abuse.

54-year-old Jonathon Hilleshiem was convicted of four counts of second-degree sexual abuse, lascivious acts with a child, and sexual exploitation of a minor – possess depiction of a minor in sex act.

Hilleshiem was initially charged with four counts of sexual abuse in the second degree and one count of lascivious acts with a child in July 2025.

In August 2025, police executed search warrants and additionally charged Hilleshiem with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor – possess depiction of a minor in sex act.

As part of the investigation, the child spoke to authorities about the abuse.

A criminal complaint shows authorities believe there may be more than 100 acts of sexual abuse that occurred between 2014 and 2020.

Hilleshiem was also sentenced to lifetime supervision by the Iowa Department of Corrections and must register as a sex offender.

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Iowa

Staind, Hoobastank and BigXthaPlug to perform at Iowa State Fair

Published

22 hours ago

March 31, 2026

Press Room

Staind, Hoobastank and BigXthaPlug to perform at Iowa State Fair

Ready to rock out? Multi-platinum rock band Staind will take the Iowa State Fair Grandstand stage with special guest Hoobastank on Monday, Aug. 17.

That’s not all: breakout Texas rapper BigXthaPlug will deliver his hard-hitting southern hip-hop anthems to the Grandstand on Saturday, Aug. 22.

Here’s what to know about the performances:

Who is Staind?

Staind is a multi-platinum rock band that’s toured alongside names like Kid Rock, Limp Bizkit and Filter. Their 1999 album “Dysfunction” contained their hit song “Mudshovel,” their major-label debut, according to Musician Guide.

In 2000, Staind contributed tracks to two compilation albums: the “Scream 3” film soundtrack and a rock tribute to rap music entitled “Take A Bight Outta Rhyme: A Rock Tribute To Rap.”

Who is Hoobastank?

Hoobastank’s debut and sophomore albums have topped the Billboard charts. Their song “The Reason” hit a billion views on YouTube. Netflix also used “The Reason” in the hit series “Beef,” according to Grammy.com.

Originally a mixture of rock, metal, ska, and funk influences (with saxophones!), Hoobastank is now bristling hard rock. Their platinum-selling debut album in 2001 broke the Top 20 on Billboard charts, which included their popular anthem “Crawling in the Dark.” Their next album, “The Reason” – which pushed them into the mainstream – hit No.3 on Billboard’s Top 200 albums chart, where it stayed for more than a year.

Who is BigXthaPlug?

Dallas rapper BigXthaPlug is mixing rap and country alongside big-name country artists like Luke Combs, Ella Langley, Bailey Zimmerman, Jelly Roll, Darius Rucker and more. He’s gone from solitary confinement to Nashville’s biggest rapper, according to The New York Times.

“Hip-hop and country music both have the same base, which is storytelling,” he told The New York Times.

When is Staind performing at the Iowa State Fair? When is BigXthaPlug performing?

Staind will perform with special guest Hoobastank on Monday, Aug. 17 at 8 p.m.

BigXthaPlug will perform on Saturday, Aug. 22 at 8 p.m.

Where do I get tickets for the Iowa State Fair concerts?

Tickets for both acts go on sale Friday, April 3 at 10 a.m. and can be found online at the Iowa State Fair website.

Tickets to see Staind and Hoobastank range between $54.40 and $89.40. Tickets for BigXthaPlug range between $29.40 and $69.40.

What’s the current Iowa State Fair Grandstand lineup?

One act remains to be announced for Friday, Aug. 21. Tickets for the following shows are already on sale:

Thursday, Aug. 13: HARDY with special guest McCoy Moore
Friday, Aug. 14: Rod Stewart with special guest Richard Marx
Saturday, Aug. 15: The Red Clay Strays
Sunday, Aug. 16: Lainey Wilson with special guest Tigirlily Gold (sold out)
Monday, Aug. 17: Staind with special guest Hoobastank
Tuesday, Aug. 18: TLC and Salt-N-Pepa with En Vogue
Wednesday, Aug. 19: AJR
Thursday, Aug. 20: Riley Green with special guest Mackenzie Carpenter
Friday, Aug. 21: Not yet announced
Saturday, Aug. 22: BigXthaPlug
Sunday, Aug. 23: Josiah Queen with special guest Ben Fuller

Lucia Cheng is a service and trending reporter at the Des Moines Register. Contact her at lcheng@gannett.com or 515-284-8132.

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Iowa

Iowa Boys High School Tennis Team Rankings Released

Published

1 day ago

March 30, 2026

Press Room

Iowa Boys High School Tennis Team Rankings Released

The Iowa Boys Tennis Coaches have released team rankings for the start of the 2026 season in Iowa boys high school tennis.

Starting off the year in the No. 1 spots will be Waukee Northwest in Class 2A and Cedar Rapids Xavier in Class 1A.

Iowa City West, Johnston, Pleasant Valley and Linn-Mar round out the Top 5 in 2A while Dubuque Wahlert Catholic, Sergeant Bluff-Luton, Decorah and Waverly-Shell Rock complete the 1A Top 5 behind Cedar Rapids Xavier.

Both Waukee Northwest and Cedar Rapids Xavier claimed the team state titles a year ago. The Wolves earned 5-0 wins over both Dowling Catholic and Iowa City West before besting Cedar Rapids Prairie in the finals, 5-1.

Cedar Rapids Xavier silenced Boone and Decorah, earning a 5-3 victory over Dubuque Wahlert Catholic in the championship match.

State Team Tennis Makes Change For 2026

New for 2026 Iowa boys tennis season will be substate team tennis, as the Top 32 teams from each classification advance to participate. Previously, all teams started play in team state just like individual state qualifiers.

Eight substates with up to four teams each will compete. There will be one host site for each substate for the semifinal round and the substate final.

Here are the Iowa boys high school tennis team rankings from the Iowa Boys Tennis Coaches.